Phil Collins takes on giant skydive for Kirkwood Hospice

Dalton man has so far raised £600 for the charity

Phil Collins who is to do a skydive in aid of his wife Diane who has cancer

Phil Collins will be in the air..but not tonight when he takes on a charity skydive.

Not to be confused with his musician namesake, Phil Collins from Dalton will be plummeting thousands of feet for Kirkwood Hospice.

The skydive has been inspired by his wife Diane who is bravely facing breast cancer.

Phil, 63, who runs his own furniture business, said he hopes to raise as much money as possible for the Dalton-based hospice where Diane has received therapeutic treatments.

Phil said: “Diane has been supported by Kirkwood with therapy treatment and it is such a fantastic facility.

“She was diagnosed seven years ago with breast cancer but it came back 18 months ago and has now spread to her bones and liver.

“We actually live on the same street as the hospice and we get their magazine and that’s how I heard about the skydive.

“I just thought that’s something I’ve always wanted to do and will fulfill a lifelong ambition.”

Phil has stumped up £200 of his own money to pay for the skydive and his company Floor To Ceiling Fitted Furniture of Huddersfield, has footed the remaining £200 bill to ensure that every penny raised will go direct to the Hospice.

He will be supported on the day by his son Adam and daughters Nicky and Kim.

Phil added: “I’m looking forward to it. Adam’s fiancee’s mother is doing it too and may even be in the same plane so all the family is behind us.

Phil’s young granddaughter Jenna has even been asking her friends to sponsor him.

Kirkwood not only provides in-patient care, but also day attendance allowing patients to attend the Support & Therapy Centre, a drop-in service, plus the Kirkwood Palliative Care Team visits patients at home to give additional support. For more information call 01484 557900.

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